The Lady and the Rake_A Scandalous Arrangement

by Penelope Redmont

  Melly smiled back at him. To her own surprise, she was happy. She'd come to miss Linton, she realized. She hadn't seen him since he'd brought her home.

  She knew she looked well in her ball gown, and it was all due to Anne's efforts. Her excitement had overcome the pain of her bruises. She wished she were truly well so that she could enjoy herself. Nevertheless, she had promised herself that she would remember everything about this evening.

  "The men?" She asked Linton.

  "In Newgate."

  He didn't say anything more, so she understood that he didn't wish to discuss it. She decided against enquiring about Hexham and Lady Ashby.

  "My dear," Lady Linton said to Melly after the dinner party when the guests had begun arriving for the ball. "I think that I will make your betrothal announcement just before supper. Would you prefer it earlier?"

  "No –" Melly said hesitantly. "No."

  She didn't want Lady Linton to make the announcement at all. She felt such a fraud. The fashionable world had returned to London for Lady Linton's ball, and she was abashed. How could she lie to everyone?

  Lady Linton stayed at her side, fending off eager young men, and some not so young, who demanded to partner Melly. The dowager countess had whispered to a few matrons, confidentially, and with a smile, that Melly had taken a tumble from her mount, and was disinclined to dance with anyone other than Lord Linton.

  Melly could see the gossip going around the room.

  "You should hear what they're saying," Christobel said, leaning down to speak into Melanie's ear. "They say that Linton is ferociously jealous and won't have you dancing with other men. That he's a possessive reformed rake, in fact." She giggled.

  Christobel's demeanor surprised Melly. She was all smiles when she arrived with Pierce. Millie couldn't understand it, and mentioned Christobel's change in attitude to Catherine.

  "She has discovered that Linton holds the purse strings," Catherine said with a chuckle. "In effect, on your marriage, you will have the power to make her happy or miserable. She's decided that she's now your intimate and must show that she adores you."

  Catherine paused, and met Melly's gaze. She dropped her voice even lower. "You would do well to remember that Christobel likes her own way. Demand respect from her. Show weakness, and she will turn against you faster than a cobra strikes."

  Finally Linton claimed Melly for a waltz. They circled the room three times, then he took her out into the garden. "You're still in pain," he murmured. "You hide it well, but I can see it."

  Crying off

  Lamps and flambeaux turned Linton House's garden into a magical space. Other guests were enjoying the fresh air after the heat and press of the ballroom.

  Melly's hand rested on Linton's sleeve.

  "You're very quiet," he said gently.

  "I can't do it," Melly said softly. "Linton, I can't allow your grandmother to announce our betrothal."

  She could see his face quite clearly in the light of one of the lamps. He smiled slightly. "It's all right Mel," he said. "You'll see. All will be well."

  She didn't know what to say. However, she did know what she had to do.

  She stepped away from him, dipped into a curtsy, and told him that she needed to go to the retiring room.

  She found Catherine in the center of a group of young matrons. Catherine glanced at her, then looked more sharply and came to her at once. "What is it?"

  "I shall return home."

  "You can't –"

  "Nevertheless, I shall," Melly said with determination.

  Catherine, seeing how distressed Melly was, didn't argue.

  "Very well, I'll have a footman order our carriage. I'll tell Lady Linton and Mother that you're not feeling well. It won't matter. It's only to be expected – a ball like this after your experience on Wednesday, I'm not surprised at all."

  Within a few minutes, she was in the family carriage, and had given directions for her return home. She hadn't been able to face Lady Linton.

  Bessie was waiting up for her when Melly arrived, and within a few minutes she was in bed. After Bessie left, Melly locked door. She didn't want to see or speak with anyone.

  Melly fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow, and the next morning, when Bessie knocked on her door, she ignored her.

  It was late afternoon when Melly awoke again. She heard Catherine's voice, and sat up.

  "Melly, if you don't open this door, I shall have the footmen remove the door completely. Come and unlock the door at once."

  Melly plodded to the door, and opened it. Then she went back to bed.

  Catherine came in and closed the door. "You intend staying in bed all day," she said. It wasn't a question.

  "I'm very tired… Catherine, please tell Mother that I don't feel well."

  "I won't tell her that, she'll have a crowd of medical men in the house in an hour. Or less. Tell me the truth, Melly — are you truly ill, or confused?"

  Catherine went to the door, and murmured to a footman. Then she went into the dressing room, and came back with a brush and comb. "Come and sit in a chair so that I may untangle your hair… I've sent for Bessie bring you some food — and water for a bath. You'll feel much better afterward, I promise you."

  "I can't do it — I can't tell lies to everyone."

  Catherine sighed deeply, releasing her breath in a huff. "Heaven help us all…You're in love with Lord Linton."

  "I'm not… I couldn't be."

  "You are, and if I read that man correctly, I wager that he's in love with you, too. All that I need to do is make you see what's happened. I don't approve of Lord Linton — and I tell you that without any bark on it. I like Linton, but he's — well. You know what I think of the man, so I won't belabor it… Rakes do change their ways, I suppose."

  Melly laughed shakily. Could Catherine be right? Was she in love with Lord Linton? She missed him when she didn't see him… But he did not love her. It wasn't possible.

  "Ah, Bessie," Catherine looked up from plaiting Melly's rebellious curls. "Put the tray on the table, and prepare Melly's bath…"

  Catherine rapidly finished Melly's plaits, and stood. "Very well then. I'll inform Mother that we're going home to Gostwicke Hall tomorrow — you need country air and good food more than anything else."

  Go home? "That's an outrageous idea, because —" Melly was talking to a closed door. Catherine had gone.

  Bessie took charge. "Right, ma'am — sit yourself down here. Cook sent up your favorite soup, and a couple of those delicious dough cakes you like. Mrs. Eardley says you're to eat it all." She relented. "As much as you can, then."

  Love

  To Melly's surprise, her mother and Catherine behaved as if their trip home was the most natural thing in the world. No one berated her for her flightiness, and no one mentioned Lord Linton.

  Anne and Bunny had elected to stay in London. Bunny had accepted several invitations, and didn't want to go to the country. Anne was busy with Kingston House.

  Henry stubbornly refused to leave London — she was still exercising Linton's hacks, and thought of this as a sacred trust. Bunny assured them that she would be watchful of Henry, and Mrs. Eardley had to be satisfied with that.

  Three days after they returned to Gostwicke Hall, Christobel and Pierce called on them. Christobel was all smiles, and Melly didn't trust her at all. Catherine merely shrugged, and didn't comment when Melly again wondered at the changes in Christobel.

  After a week at home, to Melly's relief, her bruises faded, and she felt much better. She avoided thinking about Linton, pushing all thoughts of him out of her mind as soon as they appeared.

  Early one morning after riding, she entered her rooms to find Bessie laying out clothes on her bed. "What are you doing?"

  "It's Lord Linton ma'am — he arrived at The Oaks last night, and sent word that he would call. Which day dress would you like — it's a shame that we left all your new clothes in London."

  Melly felt her heart stutter, and f
or a moment, she couldn't breathe. "Linton? He's here?"

  "That he is. His footman brought a message for Mrs. Eardley, she's been asking for you. She says you're to hurry up and take your breakfast, and…"

  Melly stopped listening. She didn't want to think about Linton — if he meant to insist that she proceed with their faux engagement, she would refuse. He couldn't force her, could he?

  Perhaps he merely wished to talk with her about Hexham and Lady Ashby.

  He arrived after midday.

  Melly's dread of seeing Linton disappeared as soon as he walked into the drawing room. Her mother and sisters insisted that she see him alone.

  Melly had been thinking about what to say to him, and as soon as she saw him, she dipped a quick curtsey, then the words came out in a rush. "I'm sorry," she said, twisting her hands together nervously. "I should never have agreed to our faux betrothal. I'm sorry that I rushed away from the ball."

  She hesitated, then forced herself to go on. She had to make him see. "I just couldn't – I couldn't allow Lady Linton to announce our betrothal when I knew that was all a pretense."

  "Peace my dear," he said gently. "Let me look at you… You are well?" He looked at her intently. "Your bruises?"

  She smiled, and her heart warmed to see his concern. "Oh — they don't trouble me, they've faded."

  "Come… May we sit?"

  He held out his hand, and she walked to him. He took her hand in his, and guided her to a sofa. When she sat down, he sat beside her, but not close. "Yes, of course, forgive me — I will get some refreshments." She rose again, to pull the bell pull.

  "No, I thank you… May we just talk?"

  She nodded, relaxing. He wasn't angry, merely concerned.

  "You can speak to me, you know. I'm not an ogre. What troubles you — I can understand why you're tired of pretense. I am too."

  She gaped at him.

  "I'm sorry," she repeated.

  "Do you find me repellent?"

  "Of course not!"

  "Does your heart belong to someone else?"

  "No – I realize now that my idea of Pierce did not match the reality. I still saw him as my friend, and that changed as soon as I saw him again – and most especially after I berated him." She thought for a moment. "I was childish."

  "Mel, you are very young. Do you like me?"

  "Yes, of course I do." She met his gaze frankly. "Indeed, I find that I miss you when I am not with you. That is very strange. I don't know why it should be so."

  His lips twitched. "I miss you too. I don't know what I would have done if Catherine hadn't told me to be patient, wait for you, and trust you. She said – she said that you love me. But you wouldn't admit it, and she pointed out to me that I loved you. Which I knew already."

  Melly didn't know what to say. She looked down at her hands in her lap, and felt heat rising in her face. She knew that it was true. She loved him. However, even if she did love Linton, she did not see how she would be able to marry him.

  "Why did you come?"

  "I came, because I love you and because I want to marry you. In fact, I am determined to keep asking you to marry me until I wear you down." He looked quite cheerful at the thought.

  Melly rubbed her forehead.

  "I admit that my reputation is not of the best. However, I do assure you that most of the feats attributed to me are nonsense. I've despoiled no innocents, and if I have had mistresses, then that is what most men do. I won't make any apology for that – I met those women before I met you. I assure you, that when we marry I intend to be a faithful husband. I can only ask that you trust me."

  She was silent.

  "Can you tell me what thoughts are going through your mind?"

  "Uncertainty… I'm afraid that I don't know my own mind. Or yours." She smiled at her own foolishness. "Confusion," she went on. "You may think me foolish, but I intended that my husband should also be my friend."

  He nodded, and waited for her to go on.

  "With Pierce, do you see, I had that. Mother and my father never had that. They were never friends. Catherine certainly doesn't have that, and I don't think that Anne did either. I don't think that I could marry anyone who is not also my friend."

  His eyes were kind, and understanding. They were also filled with heat.

  He rose, and held out his hand to her. She put her hand into his without hesitation.

  "I think my darling Mel," he said softly, "that you are very wise. Above all things, I wish to be your friend… Will you accompany me on a picnic tomorrow?"

  16. A picnic

  Linton arranged everything. Catherine and Mrs. Eardley were calm at the announcement that Lord Linton intended to stay at The Oaks, and take Melly on a picnic.

  Anne however, looked perturbed. When Melly had retired, Anne knocked on her door.

  Bessie had been brushing out Melly's hair; Anne nodded to the maid to leave.

  Anne took the brush, and drew it gently through Melly's curls. "Linton is determined to marry you… He's very much older than you, and many years more experienced."

  "He's 33," Melly said. She knew that Lord Kingston had been many years older than Anne. "Lord Kingston?"

  Anne sighed. "Indeed. Kingston was 65 when we wed. A great age. Of course, Linton is not so old. He rescued you, and that's a romance… But you need not marry him. Have your season. Catherine and I will ensure that Elaine and Henry make their come outs without scandal."

  "I do not want a season… I miss Linton when I'm not with him."

  Anne sighed, but said nothing more. She braided Melly's hair, kissed her gently, and tucked her into bed. At the door, she turned for a moment. "You can always come to me, if you're unsure of anything — Catherine can be a force of nature, and Mother would never gainsay her, but I will… so, if you need me, tell me. Good night."

  At eleven o'clock the next morning, Melly was ready. Linton had decided that they would take the carriage, despite Melly assuring him that she was well, and that she had been riding every day.

  "I thought we might go to Farnley Hill," Linton said. "It's a pretty spot, and has several pleasant walks."

  She agreed. It had been years since she had gone up to the Hill. When her father was alive, and they had visitors from London, they had often travelled to the Hill for picnics.

  "I know you are wondering about Hexham, and Lady Ashby," Linton said. "They have both left London. They will not return. You needn't fear that you will meet them in town."

  He hesitated. "The men who abducted you have been sent from London too. They have gone into the army. It was an easy solution. They were encouraged to take the offer. They were aware that a trial for abduction meant certain death."

  Melly understood. Charging the men would be dangerous. There would be legal documents, all public, and that would lead to yet another scandal. She shook her head. "I am glad. I would not wish their death."

  She didn't want to think about the men, how frightened she had been, and the climb out of the window.

  Linton caught her mood, and told her latest court gossip. Before he left London, he and his grandmother had been invited to dinner with Bunny, Anne, Henry, and other guests, and he assured her that they were well.

  Half an hour later, they reached Farnley Hill. They went for a walk to the top of the hill while the servants unpacked their picnic.

  Melly was pensive. She hadn't slept the night before. She knew that she had a decision to make. She tried to think of what her life would be like, if she sent Linton away. She had become used to having him in her life, and the thought of not seeing him at all, perhaps seeing him with another woman, gave her immense pain.

  However, she was uncertain. Could she become the Countess of Linton?

  She suspected that she loved Linton, but as the Countess, she would have responsibilities. Marrying Linton would give her position, wealth, and great consequence, but much would be demanded of her too. What if she disappointed him?

  Linton had been silent, on their w
alk to the top of the hill. "What troubles you? Please tell me."

  "I have a temper."

  "Indeed you have. It's one of the things I like best about you."

  She stared at him.

  "I'm serious," he assured her.

  "As the Countess of Linton, you would expect –"

  "I expect you to be yourself," he said firmly.

  To her own surprise, Melly was hungry when they sat down for their picnic. She ate with an appetite. Linton looked on approvingly. She refused the wine, knowing that it would make her sleepy.

  They talked easily. Linton told her about his other estates, and that his grandmother was growing too old to perform the duties of the Countess of Linton. The implication was that Melly would take over his grandmother's role.

  Melly tried to imagine herself as the Countess.

  Linton saw her frown. "You would have help, you know."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I know you're worried about your duties. You would have at least one secretary, perhaps two. You need a secretary to manage your social commitments, which would increase when parliament is sitting, during the season. Your other secretary would help you with your charitable works."

  That captured her interest. She could do a great deal of good as the countess. Mrs Eardley spent much time at the village workhouse, helping families who were destitute. If she married Linton, her life would not be all pleasure and frivolity.

  They went for another walk while the servants cleared away. Finally, they stopped at the top of the hill, and Melly sat on a rock, while Linton sat beside her on the grass, leaning companionably against the rock.

  After a moment, he half-rose, and turned to face her. He enclosed her hands in his larger ones. In the warm sunlight, his eyes looked very green. "Well, then?" he asked.

  She smiled at him. "Well then… yes. Yes, Lord Linton, you do me great honor, and I would like very much to become your wife."